CRRPC committee reviews draft FY26 work program and budget, sets May 21 public hearing

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s Joint Finance and Executive Committee reviewed a draft fiscal year 2026 Unified Planning Work Program and budget at its April 2 meeting and set a public hearing for the full Board on May 21 at 6 p.m.

Executive Director Charlie Baker told members that minor language tweaks were made to remove ineligible activities and that Federal Highway Administration review had been completed. He said the regional planning grant rose by nearly $100,000 and that staff reallocated some funds while pursuing new potential contracts for zoning administration and increased requests for direct municipal assistance. Baker said there is a significant pass‑through amount in the draft budget for the Chittenden County Communications Union District (CCCUD) broadband installation in the county’s northeast, and staff expect the RAISE grant to finish in FY26, which could slightly adjust direct costs.

Baker said the CCRPC is applying for a FEMA grant to update the county and municipal All‑Hazards Mitigation Plan, which expires in fall 2027, and is pursuing a small Lake Champlain Byway grant and a brownfields revolving loan fund application. On the expense side, he said salaries and benefits increased — partly because of full‑year costs for recent hires and a 3% staff pay increase — and that benefits rose about 9% after personnel policy updates. Baker said staff plan to streamline timekeeping and reporting to reduce redundant inputs and that, overall, the projection is to end FY26 about $24,000 to the positive. "I want to thank Forest Cohen for his work to reconcile the budget," Baker said.

Finance Committee member Jeff Carr asked about the agency’s indirect rate, which he said is now in the low 90% range and raised concerns that it could 'whipsaw' in future years. Baker said the business office has grown from 2.5 to 4 positions to manage the organization’s growth (from roughly $4 million previously to about $11 million now) and that he expects FY25 to be a peak year for the rate. Carr observed that routing more grant dollars through the agency could help the rate.

The committee voted to warn a public hearing for the UPWP and budget for the May 21 Board meeting; the motion by Andy Montroll, seconded by Jacki Murphy, "carried unanimously" with Jeff Carr recorded as not participating in that specific vote. The hearing will give the public an opportunity to comment before the Board considers adoption.